Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Vegan, Oil-free*, Gluten-free, and Baked!

A soft, fluffy donut that fills your kitchen with the cozy aroma of warm spices and fresh apple cider 🍎🍏

Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut that fills your kitchen with the cozy aroma of warm spices and fresh apple cider. Every fall, when apple cider is in season, I cannot wait for Thanksgiving to make these super delicious treats. Desserts are a joy to indulge in on holidays, and if you love apples and donuts but avoid them because of the traditional unhealthy versions, these baked apple cider donuts will make you so happy! Unlike fried donuts, these are baked to golden perfection, made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients, and packed with all the flavors of autumn. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering or celebrating a birthday, this recipe is a game-changer—healthy, delicious, and irresistibly good!

Glazed Apple Cider Donuts and Piggies

Glazed Apple Cider Piggies, unglazed

Glazed Apple Cider Donuts and Piggies, glazed

Glazed Apple Cider Donuts, detail

Glazed Apple Cider Donuts with apples

Glazed Apple Cider Donut, closeup

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Vegan, Oil-free*, Gluten-free, and Baked

Prep: 10 min, Cook: 5 min, Bake: 13-25 min, Total: 40 min, Yields: 12 small or 6 regular-sized donuts

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 cup GF oats, ground into flour

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 1/2 cup potato starch

• 2 tsps baking powder

• 1 1/2 tsps apple spice (OR 1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon)

• 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)

• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup

• 1⁄2 cup apple cider (NOT apple cider vinegar!)

• 1/4 cup aquafaba (Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas, used as an egg replacer.)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Apple Cider Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2-3 Tbsps apple cider (NOT apple cider vinegar!)

Instructions For the Donuts

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Prepare your silicone donut pan/s. Set aside. *

2. In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. Break up any lumps. Set aside. (You may do this in a blender.)

3. Process all wet ingredients in a small blender for about 30 seconds.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just incorporated. Do not overmix. Batter will have pourable consistency.

5. Fill donut pan with batter evenly, leaving the center hole exposed.

6. Bake donuts until firm to the touch. 13-15 minutes for mini donuts and 18-23 minutes for regular-sized donuts. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into a doughnut. It should come out clean.

7. Cool baked doughnuts in the pan/s for about 5 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack.

Instructions For the Apple Cider Glaze **

1. While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. Use a small blender or whisk together all ingredients until perfectly smooth. Start with 2 tablespoons apple cider, add more to adjust consistency.

2. Dip tops of donuts into glaze to coat, place back on the cooling rack and allow to set. If you have glaze left, you can double or triple dip your donuts. You can also sprinkle the glazed donuts with cinnamon sugar.

Notes:

* Since this is an oil-free recipe, silicone donut pans are best. If all you have is a metal pan, you will need to lightly grease it before pouring the batter in.

** Skip the glaze for a healthier version. It will still be amazing!

No animals were harmed during the creation of this recipe!